Indian and UK’s defence industry organisations have joined hands to build a new Defence Industry Joint Working Group for more efficacious cooperation. The initiative is supported by the UK government. The inaugural meeting of the UK-India Defence Industry Joint Working Group was held on the sidelines of DefExpo 2022 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
There was 20 UK defence businesses at DefExpo. Manufacturing defence equipment not just for India but also for the rest of the world, UK industry has already incorporated Indian defence suppliers into their global supply chain.
The Joint Working Group is a component of a long-term effort by the two nations to improve their defence and security partnership through industrial cooperation. Shortening the duration of the delivery process for defence purchases, the UK recently granted India the first Open General Export License (OGEL) in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Royal Air Force (RAF) lately conducted a subject matter expertise exchange with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) during the visit of Eurofighter Typhoon, Voyager and A400 in New Delhi and also held joint-flying exercises with the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Alex Ellis, British High Commissioner to India, stated that “A stronger UK-India defence relationship is an essential element of the British and Indian governments’ Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The British Government and industry presence at DefExpo is further proof of this, as is our support for co-creation of next generation capabilities that will be fully owned by India. The UK supports Prime Minister Modi's ambitions of Make in India, Make for the World.”
Mark Goldsack, Director, UK Defence and Security Exports, said that “This is another development in the expanding defence connections between the two nations, who are aiming to build a portfolio of joint initiatives to assist the creation of new technologies and capabilities in accordance with the 2030 roadmap.
